Conversion

Conversion to Messianic Judaism

We live in challenging and often confusing times. In the ‘spiritual’ marketplace many voices are calling for allegiance, voices proclaiming the answers to the deeper questions of humanity, not just the ‘what’ but the ‘why’ of existence. For those sincerely seeking answers it can be a confusing and difficult task to listen and discern the way forward.

Judaism has a history of continuous existence for at least the last 4000 years, dated from Abraham’s journey towards the Promised Land. The Jewish people, both the physical descendants of Abraham and those who converted to Judaism, have kept an unbroken line of testimony to the One true G-d ever since. To the Jewish people were given the ‘Ten Commandments’, the first of the many that constitute the Torah, or Teaching of G-d. The Jewish people were the first to know the monotheistic nature of G-d, His creative power and His eternal covenants. Through the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob the world has come to understand concepts of truth, honesty, love, peace, justice, righteousness, holiness and mercy, to name just a few. In a world where many talk about a Messiah, or messianic fervour, few realise that it is Judaism that has promised such a person, one sent by G-d who would bring deliverance, redemption and salvation. This promise of redemption through the Messiah was not just for the Jewish people, but for all those from the nations also who would seek the One true G-d. This promise found its fulfilment in the person of Yeshua, the Jewish Messiah, born over 2000 years ago.

King Shlomo in his dedicatory prayer after completing the Temple in Jerusalem prayed that its function as a House of Prayer would extend to the people of the nations who would respond to G-d in the same way that Abraham did (1 Melachim/Kings 8:41-42). Although Judaism hasn’t always actively sought converts, it nevertheless historically has been a faith that recognised the importance and necessity of seeking such. The classic statement by Ruth the Moabite (Ruth 1:16-17) forms the heart cry of all true converts to the G-d of Israel:

‘Wherever you go, I will go. Wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people shall be my people and your G-d shall be my G-d’.

The Prophet Isaiah, knowing that the function, intent and calling of Israel was not merely inward, details those from the nations who respond to the call of G-d thus:

They ‘join themselves to the Lord to serve Him… keep from defiling the Shabbat (Sabbath)… hold fast my covenant..’
G-d says He will ‘bring them to the holy mountain… make them joyful in the House of Prayer… will accept their sacrifices.’ Isaiah 56:6-8.

In our day there are many varied and different forms of Judaism. In Messianic Judaism we are positive towards converts and welcome any who genuinely seek, as did the convert Ruth above, to follow the G-d of Israel. The path for conversion was laid out clearly by the first Patriarch Abraham who responded in faith to G-d, and so became the progenitor of all Jewish people and those who respond in the same way of faith as he did. Abraham’s relationship with G-d was based upon his complete trust and faith in the nature of G-d’s own faithfulness. This was the pattern and message that the Jewish Mashiach (Messiah) Yeshua taught, and it is through Him, the directional focus of Jewish history, that we accept those who convert to Judaism.

Conversion to Messianic Judaism through the auspices of the UBMS Beit Din is more than about finding a life philosophy or even a new cultural/ethnic identity, it is about discovering the reality of a G-d who is alive and who can change your life forever! The conversion course (for those not born Jewish) lasts approximately one year. During that time you will be mentored by a local Rabbi, complete assignments, worship regularly in a local Messianic Synagogue and finally be assessed by the Beit Din. After circumcision for males, and immersion for both men and women, you will join the Jewish community.

For more details of this, please contact the Rabbi via the Contact page of the website.

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